'Star-Spangled Babies' celebrates Joint Base military families

Thursday

The fifth-annual event included lunch, presentations and, at the end, the gifting of 75 free cribs to attendees.

JOINT BASE McGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST — Dozens of parents and soon-to-be moms and dads crowded into the 99th Readiness Division Auditorium on Wednesday for Star-Spangled Babies, an annual baby shower that celebrates military families.

Hosted by Operation Homefront, a nonprofit that assists veterans and military families, and Delta Children, a children's furniture retailer, the event is intended to build morale during what can be a stressful time.

The fifth-annual event included lunch, presentations and, at the end, the gifting of 75 free cribs to attendees.

The event began with a catered lunch, followed by introductory remarks by Pete Stinson, Operation Homefront senior director.

Delta Children CEO Joe Shamie congratulated the new and expecting parents and provided a primer on crib safety. Shamie emphasized the importance of keeping household items, as well as pillows and stuffed animals away from cribs to prevent suffocation.

Later, Tonya Wood, of United Through Reading, described the program, which allows active military parents deployed overseas to record stories that can be played for their children. Other presentations focused on family health, financial assistance and breast feeding. Antoinette Miles also spoke on behalf of U.S. Rep. Andy Kim, D-3rd of Bordentown Township.

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